Cinderella, Told From the Stepmother's Eyes

Chapter Two: Going to the Ball

By: Fairylady

A/N: Sorry it took so long, but I have been busy. Tomorrow (if I can) I will try to get the last chapter up. If I can't get it up tomorrow then I will do it Saturday. That I can guarantee. If you be readers that like my writings I will try to get my other stories updated, but lately I have been having troubles in life and in health (do not worry! I am not dying!). Well, this is the second to last chapter! That is right! Soon you will get the surprising end to this story! And also I got a 10/10 on this story for English and now my grade is up to a C+! Yes!

Reviews:

Mrs. Snape: Sorry this chapter took so long, but you know how life is sometimes, but you still have to wait for the ending. Sorry. I will be sure to put it up before the end of this week.

Dragon-of-the-north: Yes, villains always get the blame for it and their side of the story is never told. Usually only the people who you think are the victims or are good at heart get their side of the tale told. Maybe I will do other fairy tales from the villains POV.

Firefly: Well, I am glad that I was able to boost your confidence for writing and I am also glad that you are going to continue to write. Just keep my advice though for I almost stopped writing stories because of one reviewer (and unfortunately it was my first review ever!). I will be waiting for your next chapter and I hope you like this chapter, too. It is not as short as I was planning, but I thought I should give you guys more since I took awhile to update.

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As the days became shorter and I aging slowly, Lindsay came into the library and handed me a letter from the palace. It was an invitation to go to the King's ball or as I like to call it, a gathering of pretty young maidens for his son to look though and pick one to be his bride. I laughed when I read the letter in the elegant writing before I looked up at Lindsay, who still stood above me with hope in her eyes.

"You wish to go, don't you Lindsay?"

"Yes, step-mother." Her reply was plain with no emotion at all, but I could see that this was one thing she really wanted to do.

"If you promise to be good and treat my daughters and I with respect, I see no reason for you not to go. Will you be able to find a dress for the ball in time or would you like to go out with us and pick out a dress?" I asked sincerely hoping she would take up the offer.

"I can find my own dress, thank you." A sigh left my lips before they formed into a thin line. No matter how hard I try I never could get her to look at me even as a friend.

"All right, Lindsay, if you can find a dress for the ball and be able to good and treat us with respect you may go to the ball." Slowly she stepped away from the couch I am laying in and heads for the door, but I have one other thing to ask her. "Lindsay, will you please go and inform my daughters about this ball? If you need to you may wake them from their beauty sleep and also tell them that they need to get ready to go to the market." I do not know what she did after I asked her to do that stuff, but I do know she left after I turned my attention back on my book I was reading before.

All things had gone smoothly, my daughters had picked out dresses that they both fit into and looked lovely in and nothing happened between Lindsay or my daughters and myself. It was during that time I truly thought that our whole family could finally pull together and be one family, but on the night of the ball everything I was hoping for turned into ashes in the wind.

Lindsay wasn't able to get a dress made or bought in time for the ball and was crying in her room because she wouldn't be able to go. I had figured something like this was going to happen so I had bought an extra dress that looked to be Lindsay's size so I went into her room and told her not to cry as I handed the dress towards her. She was happy, but did not thank me at all as she pushed me out of the door so she could change.

When she finally came out it was time to leave, but I was able to put some light make up on her face and decorate her with some of my jewelry. Then all four of us almost rushed out of the door and into the carriage with the ball on our minds. After about an hour ride in a noisy carriage we spotted our first sight of the magnificent palace that the ball was being held at. It took us yet another hour just to get out of the carriage and walk up the stairs that lead us into the shining jewel.

I was the first to walk in with Lindsay by my side and Annabelle and Christine behind us. That was the most joyous moment in my long life when I thought we could all be a big family and care for each other and Lindsay would stop her work as a servant, but I was wrong to think anything would change after that night. When we entered the palace, all of us got separated, but I did not worry too much. I knew Lindsay could take care of herself and that my two daughters would stick together as they had their own fun.

Yet, I never knew how well Lindsay could take care of herself or make decisions so quickly and rationally. I learned differently when the Prince had found his bride-to-be. I do not believe the shock has ever wore off from what happened at the end of the King's Ball.

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A/N: Ok, I will keep this short. REVIEW!! PLEASE!! Flamers get punished and reviewers get rewarded!